Category: David

Strange Resurrection Day Meditation: Why Did David Sin and Israel Get Punished For It? 1 Chronicles 21

3/31/2018

How come David sins – and Israel gets punished for it? That is a question that came to me as I was reading 1 Chronicles 21 this morning. It is a good question to ask – and yet, as a person with leadership responsibilities in regard to my wife, my family, a church, and even a ministry at the Pregnancy Resource Center – it is a very sobering one to consider.

The quick answer to this question is simply that anyone who leads has a very large influence over those whom he leads. It is not that his sins are more wicked than others. But it is important to realize that when a leader sins – it has a greater effect because of the influence the leader has on those who are under him.

David’s sin was two-fold in this chapter of 1 Chronicles. First, he numbered God’s people on his own – something only God reserves the right to do. God is the One who calls for any kind of census over His people. When that happens, there must be a ransom payment for everyone who is counted. The amount of that is a half of a shekel.
That is what God commanded in Exodus 30.

The LORD also spoke to Moses, saying, "When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD, when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as a contribution to the LORD. Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the LORD. The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the LORD to make atonement for yourselves. You shall take the atonement money from the sons of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the sons of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves." Exodus 30:11-16

What is this commandment supposed to mean? It is a very important principle having to do with how we see ourselves. God wanted every count of the people to include a ransom payment – because the only count that is truly going to matter in the end is those who are redeemed by His mercy and grace. This count was only to be done with a view to counting the “atoned ones” in Israel. Note that in this the rich and the poor are to pay alike (an illusion to God’s grace in salvation – all come on the same basis and with the same price of Christ’s blood atoning for their sins). But why would God do this?

Pride. Here is the reason why such a thing was to be done. Any gathering of God’s people – whether they are a nation like Israel or even a church in the present day – has a sinful tendency to number themselves and take pride in how big that number is. We should note that the counting of the church in Acts only was mentioned in regard to those who were being saved. When God refers to a number of people in Corinth – it was only in reference to those who belonged to Him in the city (i.e. those He was going to save there).

David was priding himself – and Israel was taking part in that same sin – by seeing how big they were – and it was not with a ransom payment. There was no reminder that this was God’s doing with His redeemed people. It was solely so David could know how big his army was. It should make us take a step back that even his general, Joab (not exactly known for his godliness) found the request odious in his sight. Oh, and the fact that 1 Chronicles 21:1 starts with the fact that Satan rose up and moved David to number Israel. Yeah, anything that involves being moved by Satan is going to be bad. The sin he was moving David to – PRIDE.

David’s pride was mirrored in Israel – and his descent into pride only was a horrible example for them to follow. Now before you protest too loudly, consider our own nation and the example of 2 presidents (even though the number is probably beyond 2). Currently President Trump is embroiled in a controversy over an adulterous affair that allegedly took place 10 years ago. We also know that President Clinton was adulterously involved with an intern in the Oval office during his presidency. Both of their examples have been horrible to the rest of our nation. The character of those who lead us DOES matter. It DOES matter that they honor their marriage vows. It DID hurt us that they did not. When our leaders dishonor marriage in this way it lowers the view of marriage throughout our nation. This is especially true when their defense of their actions asserted that it does not matter what a man does in his personal life. That cavalier attitude toward a wedding vow – will carry over to the people as they figure that if it is OK for a president to do this – it is OK for me too.

David’s sin cost Israel dearly – in spreading the same attitude of pride and disregard for seeing people in light of the atonement. The physical plague that came upon the nation mirrored the spiritual one that was growing in their hearts. What was interesting was that it ended when God came to the point where the Temple was going to be established. It ended when atonement was made – and that place was where atonement would be made again and again for centuries. It would be THE PLACE where the world would be reminded that God was going to build a people – not on the basis of national identity – but on the basis of a blood atonement.

It is interesting that we were reading this on the day before we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in 2018. What a reminder of the seriousness of sin – the fact that in Adam (the very head of our race) we have sinned. There is a plague that has come from that sin that is here even today. The wages of sin is death – it has been since Genesis 3 through 1 Chronicles 21 – and even to March 31, 2018. The same plague wreaks havoc on the nations – costing them their lives. But there is an answer – just as there was one in David’s day. In the midst of our plague – we see the place where the ultimate sacrifice was made. We see, not an altar of stones, but a cross of wood. We see a lamb – but not a lamb of the flock, but the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. We see a sacrifice – not one to be made again and again – but one made once for all. We see a counting – not one where we count ourselves for the purpose of competing against one another – but a counting of every tribe, nation, people, and tongue before the throne worshipping the Lamb of God.

You see the question is not, “Why was Israel punished for David’s sin?” The real question is this, “Why was Jesus Christ punished for OUR sin?” On this Resurrection Day Eve we should consider the astounding, infinite love of God that allowed His Son to be punished for our sin. Then we should lift our voices to sing the song that will echo through eternity.

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." Revelation 5:12

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The Sad Story of Ahithophel - Wisdom Destroyed by Bitterness

2/20/2018

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This past week we read through the part of 2 Samuel that involved the rebellion of David’s son, Absalom and those who supported him. Among those who supported this rebellious son was a man named Ahithophel, who held the position of the king’s counselor. In this role he was evidently very skilled. His advice was as one who had inquired of the oracle of God according to 2 Samuel 16:23. Both David and Absalom saw him in this light. He is also had a son who was listed among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). This was no ordinary man - but was a man mighty in valor and in wisdom in the years he served the king. He was a man who supported David and who even had children who served with great distinction among David’s most elite warriors.

But what happened to Ahithophel? Why would he choose Absalom over David? What would lead a wise, godly man to not only choose wrongly here - but also to offer very godless advice to Absalom as one of his first acts as his counselor? In 2 Samuel 16 he encouraged Absalom to commit adultery and rape with 10 of David’s concubines in broad daylight before all of Israel in Jerusalem. That is not godly counsel! What would lead a man who once was seen as a source of godly wisdom to give such unwise, unholy counsel?

Something we know only by examining the genealogies of Scripture is that Ahithophel had a granddaughter who was well known in the annals of Scripture. We read in 2 Samuel 23:34 that Ahithophel’s son was named Eliam. What we don’t see, unless we examine the records closer, is who Eliam’s daughter and Ahithophel’s granddaughter was. Her name was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam. Bathsheba was Ahithophel’s granddaughter. This was how a godly man began to descend down a path of bitterness that eventually destroyed not just his wisdom, but eventually destroyed him in the end.

What a blow it had to be to learn of David’s betrayal to him and his family. Ahithophel had served with honor and distinction - had given his son to the fight - had even given his son-in-law as well (for Uriah was one of the mighty men of David too). David repented of his sin in the end - even writing publicly sung Psalms that spoke of his betrayal and wickedness. But something happened to Ahithophel in the process. We are warned in the New Testament to beware of any root of bitterness that may spring up in us that will defile us and many around us. David bears responsibility for his sin and for being a stumbling block to Ahithophel, but it was also this man’s responsibility to forgive as well - even when it was excruciating to do so. But it is evident that he did not - but began to nurse bitterness and a grudge against David.

Then the day came that an opportunity arose for Ahithophel. David’s passivity toward his son was costing him the kingdom. Absalom had effectively stolen the hearts of many in Israel and a rebellion was begun. One of the early things Absalom did was to ask Ahithophel to be a part of the rebellion - and Ahithophel gladly rose to the task. His ungodly advice to begin Absalom’s rule by invading and then raping the 10 concubines left to care for the house was shocking. But it had its desired results in that it burned any bridge left between David and Absalom. Then Ahithophel counseled Absalom to let him had a large strike force he would take and use to chase down and kill David. He was not focused on winning a battle - but on making sure David was dead. These were the actions of a man who was consumed with destroying David - as he had destroyed Ahithophel’s family.

In a strange twist, David’s close friend, Hushai - stayed behind at David’s request to thwart the counsel of Ahithophel. When Hushai disagreed with Ahithophel’s counsel and prevailed - the disgraced royal counselor knew that Absalom would not prevail. With a hurt pride - and a crushed spirit that would no longer be able to see David killed - Ahithophel went home. Unforgiveness turned to bitterness and now bitterness had led to ungodly counsel to murder God’s anointed. He saw his own demise coming - and unable to see forgiveness as a possibility (probably due to his own inability and unwillingness to give it to others) - Ahithophel set his house in order - and hung himself.

What do we learn from the sad story of Ahithophel? First, I want to make sure that everyone who reads this knows that what David did was sin - and he was responsible before God for being a stumbling block to many. It brought great damage to his own family and also among his friends. So we do learn that sin has a horrific price to it that we usually do not see in the moment we consider it and act in an ungodly manner. Hopefully we see a reminder to ask ourselves, “Who is going to be hurt by the fallout of my sin?” This is a question we most definitely should ask - and allow its answer to warn us and frighten us so that we fear God and run from sin. But there is a second lesson we need to learn. Stumbling blocks will come - and anyone who has lived on this fallen earth knows that there will be many many times we will be hurt in one lifetime. The lesson we need to take from Ahithophel is to realize that nursing those hurts instead of giving them to God and forgiving others will destroy us. I do not want to minimize the pain and hurt Ahithophel felt. I do not want to given anyone the impression that such pain is easy to deal with in life. But the truth is that our pain, when not dealt with, will lead us toward unforgiveness and bitterness. Left to grow into a malignancy in our hearts - bitterness and unforgiveness will hurt us. The damage it will do within us is only going to grow over time. Ahithophel’s hurt and pain did turn into unforgiveness and bitterness in the end. It smoldered within his heart and turned a wise man into a fool who gave very wicked advice. It turned a man who served God early in his life into a man who lived with an unholy vendetta to kill the one who hurt him - and when that opportunity was taken from him - he killed himself.

To those who have been hurt badly by another - even possibly a leader in a church - I do not want to minimize your pain. It is very real. But remember that our Lord was betrayed and left alone at the cross. He knows every ounce of venom the world can try to inject with its bite into our hearts. He did not succumb to it - and even prayed, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing,” toward those who impaled him upon the cross. He even forgave Peter who denied Him and cursed vehemently as he did. He forgave the others who ran and left Him and who did not even stand with Him for one hour of prayer in the garden. Our Lord Jesus Christ has been betrayed an untold amount of times since then - even by our own indifference and unwillingness to speak and stand out for Him. And He forgives - and forgives - and forgives again. He has even given us His Spirit, by which He empowers us to draw on His life and power to forgive others. Bitterness and unforgiveness destroyed Ahithophel. Let us not learn or draw from him and his example when hurt - but rather let us die to ourselves and draw upon our Lord Jesus Christ and His life to forgive.

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When Tears and Confession are not Enough - 1 Samuel 24 & 26

1/30/2018

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This week I want to refer to something we’ve read in the Disciple’s Journey readings. We are currently in 1 Samuel and we find there a somewhat disturbing situation with Saul and God. The situation involves Saul being confronted about his sin against David. He was seeking to kill David because of his jealousy and fear of David. When confronted about his sin, Saul breaks into tears and confession. He also speaks the truth about David one day being king - as God has already said. As big spiritual moments go - this one seems legit! Yet later Saul turns from these very confessions and finds himself chasing David and trying to kill him within days of his previous confession and supposed repentance. Saul changes his position like a yoyo going up and down on a string. One would think that his tearful confession of sin - even stating he is wrong and has sinned against God and David is the real thing. What is going on here in Saul’s life? And what can we learn from it?

When God truly works in a person’s life it is measured by what happens in the heart. That is a principle we must remember. When David was chosen as king, Samuel was reminded as several of David’s brothers walked by that, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” Jesus made it clear in the Gospel of Matthew that, “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” (Matthew 15:11) And Jesus told us that out of the abundance of the HEART the mouth speaks. When Jesus spoke of murder in the Sermon on the Mount, He defined murder and adultery based on what was happening in the heart - not just what happened outwardly in the actions.

Back to Saul . . . Yes, he has tearful confessions to David - but we really don’t see him turning to God. When David sinned later in life with the adultery with Bathsheba and proxy murder of her husband, he confessed his sin to God - even writing Psalm 51 and other Psalms as testimony and instruction for Israel. In spite of all Saul’s tears - there is no real repentance and turn to God. That is where we must turn to the New Testament to be reminded of the nature of true repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 speaks of true repentance. The passage reminds us that there are two kinds of sorrow. There is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance - and - a worldly sorrow that leads to death. Here is that entire passage.

For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Note in the underlined section that there is a sorrow according to God’s will that leads to repentance without regret and to salvation. This is contrasted with the sorrow of the world that produces death. There is repentance to life - and another repentance to death. Saul had the second of these two kinds of repentance. It had plenty of tears - plenty of words - even plenty of emotion. The problem is that is had no true turn to God. So how to we know whether we have the first or second kind of repentance? In the end - it is evidenced by our actions. And we will see in a moment that these actions are not toward the offender or the offended primarily. They are actions toward God.

The last verse describes the actions of true repentance. Earnestness - vindication (apologea - a defense - here a defense of God’s ways and a defense seen not only in words but in a change of our actions). There is also fear of God - longing to change - zeal for God and his law to be fulfilled in our actions and attitudes - and a future where we are innocent in regard to sinful actions. All this points to a change in life. It matters very little how many tears are shed - it matters much how much we turn to God and allow Him to change our hearts so a different way of living ensues.

Then there is verse 12 - which is very enlightening.

So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 7:12

Paul states here that he wrote with rebuke - not for the sake of the offender who had sinned - nor did he write for the sake of the offended that had been sinned against in this situation. Ultimately he wrote so that they would see a revived earnestness in their response to the Word given to them by Paul - in God’s eyes. Ultimately Paul knew that repentance is something done “in the sight of God.” It is not done for the consumption of man. When we are truly repentant toward God - we will change. We change primarily because we restore our relationship with Him - and He works within us as we turn from disobedience to obedience.

Back to Saul . . . He makes a very good and even somewhat convincing confession to David. The problem is that we see no true confession to God. Remember Saul’s confession to Samuel. He said he had sinned - but the next thing he did was to ask Samuel to come with him so he could be honored in the eyes of the people. David’s repentance didn’t care about honor before the people - he desired restoration to God. That is why we see David turn to God - even in the midst of very difficult circumstances and consequences of his sin. We see him turn to God again and again - humbling himself and seeking God in the middle of the mess his sin had caused. But what we see in Saul is a continuing descent into sin - disobedience in the Amalekite matter - disobedience in his attitudes and actions toward David - disobedience in continuing in his efforts to kill David even after having his life spared twice - and then a turning to a demonic medium when God wouldn’t answer his prayers before his death in a battle against the Philistines. Saul got worse - not better after his tearful confessions.

So what do we come away with from these chapters of 1 Samuel? We come away with a warning about merely looking at the outside of things. Even when people cry actual tears along with their confession - that is not enough to merit calling what they do “true repentance.” We come away with a reminder that ultimately the One most offended by sin is God. Therefore the primary issue in true biblical repentance unto life is what is happening in the heart. Are we turning to God wholly or are we just making a good religious show of things? True repentance is all about our response to God. He calls us to repentance - helps to grant us true repentance - and is the One we are returning to in repentance. Without those things happening - and a subsequent work of God that affects the way we live - all our tears, confessions, and promises we will truly change are just chaff to be blow away. The real work - is heart work resulting in life change - to the glory of God.

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You Da' Man, part 1 - Integrity at Home

10/24/2011

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This morning I was reading in my quiet time in the book of Psalms. Today’s chapter was Psalm 101. As I read this psalm of David, I was so blessed because this Psalm deals with how a father should walk within his own home. David begins the psalm with a statement of commitment to the Lord. He says, “I will give heed to the blameless way.” Here he is declaring that his life is dedicated to living before God blamelessly and holy. Then he makes his second declaration as he says, “I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.” The two words “integrity” and “blameless” are interchangeable in Hebrew. Thus, as David makes his commitment before God, it is one that states that he wants to walk blameless and in the highest integrity possible. But how does one do this? The rest of this Psalm explains this to us as we see the other commitments that come with a desire to walk in one’s house in integrity and blamelessness. What I’d like to do for a few weeks is to look at the commitments that are necessary for a man of God to be what God desires for him to be within his home.

The first commitment is what I mentioned above. A man of God needs to commit to a life of integrity within the home. He needs to come to God and ask the Lord to work in his heart so that he is blameless before the Lord and before his wife and children. But who defines this “walk of integrity?“ That is answered by David in the statement he makes immediately after making this commitment. After he says that he will give heed to the blameless way he makes a request. That request is this, “When will You come to me?” In saying this, David is saying two things. First, he is committing to “giving heed” to the blameless way. The word here speaks of discernment that is gained from listening to another. Therefore what David commits to is to listen to someone. This one he listens to will help him discern how to walk in life—blamelessly. Who is this person? David makes that clear to us when he says, “When will You come to me?” The “You” in this verse is Jehovah God.

To be a man of integrity and blamelessness is to be a man who daily listens to God. To be the godly man of integrity in your home, you will need to meet with God regularly. As you fellowship with God you will be taught how to discern between what is good and what is evil. You will know the right way to walk—and be warned against paths that will hinder you. They are the paths filled with roots and stumbling blocks that trip you up. Men, spend time with God each day—seeking Him—reading His Word—talking with Him so that you begin to learn the way of integrity. This will help you be the man of integrity your family needs within your home. As you face the trials, temptations, and difficult decisions to be that man—may your request each day be this, “Lord, when will You come to me, teach me, strengthen me, guide me, and enable me to be a blameless man?”

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Strange Resurrection Day Meditation: Why Did David Sin and Israel Get Punished For It? 1 Chronicles 21

The Sad Story of Ahithophel - Wisdom Destroyed by Bitterness

When Tears and Confession are not Enough - 1 Samuel 24 & 26

You Da' Man, part 1 - Integrity at Home

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